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Evaluation Of Nitrogen Utilization And The Effects Of Monensin In Dairy Cows Fed Brown Midrib Corn Silage, A. M. Gehman, Paul J. Kononoff, C. R. Mullins, B. N. Janicek

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Twenty midlactation Holstein cows (4 ruminally fistulated) averaging 101 ± 34 d in milk and weighing 674 ± 77 kg were used to compare rations with brown midrib corn silage (bm3) to rations with dual-purpose control silage (DP) on N utilization and milk production. The effect of monensin in these rations was also examined. Animals were assigned to one of five 4 × 4 Latin squares with treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. Cows were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each of the four 28- d periods. Treatments were 1) 0 mg/d monensin and bm3 …

Cattle Code: Coproduct Optimizer Decision Evaluator, Crystal D. Buckner, Darrell Mark, Virgil R. Bremer, Galen E. Erickson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Expansion of the corn-based ethanol industry in recent years has resulted in a growing supply of coproduct feeds. These coproducts result in significant improvements in cattle performance and are often priced lower than corn on a dry matter basis. Along with these benefits to feeding ethanol coproduct feeds, cattle feeders must also account for additional transportation costs to originate the coproducts and for added expenses to handle, mix, and deliver the feed ration within the feedlot. An economic budget model, called Cattle CODE, was created to help feeders, nutritionists, and Extension educators evaluate these nonlinear effects across unique feeding situations.

Board-Invited Review: Use Of Distillers By-Products In The Beef Cattle Feeding Industry, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Virgil R. Bremer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The ethanol industry is expanding rapidly. This expansion in production of renewable energy also increases production of by-products. These byproducts, primarily distillers grains plus solubles (DGS), are utilized very efficiently by ruminants. When the starch in corn is fermented to produce ethanol, the remaining nutrients (protein, fat, fiber) are concentrated about 3-fold. Whereas DGS is an excellent protein source for ruminants, the large supply and the price relative to corn make DGS an attractive energy source as well. This is especially important with reduced availability and higher price of corn because of demand by the ethanol industry. A meta-analysis of …

In Planta Distribution Of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus’ As Revealed By Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) And Real-Time Pcr, Satyanarayana Tatineni, Uma Shankar Sagaram, Siddarame Gowda, Cecile J. Robertson, William O. Dawson, Toru Iwanami, Nian Wang

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus worldwide, and is caused by a phloem-limited fastidious prokaryotic α- proteobacterium that is yet to be cultured. In this study, a combination of traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR targeting the putative DNA polymerase and 16S rDNA sequence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,’ respectively, were used to examine the distribution and movement of the HLB pathogen in the infected citrus tree. We found that ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ was distributed in bark tissue, leaf midrib, roots, and different floral and fruit parts, but not in endosperm and …

Regulation Of Apical Dominance In Aspergillus Nidulans Hyphae By Reactive Oxygen Species, Camile P. Semighini, Steven D. Harris

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

In fungal hyphae, apical dominance refers to the suppression of secondary polarity axes in the general vicinity of a growing hyphal tip. The mechanisms underlying apical dominance remain largely undefined, although calcium signaling may play a role. Here, we describe the localized accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the apical region of Aspergillus nidulans hyphae. Our analysis of atmA (ATM) and prpA (PARP) mutants reveals a correlation between localized production of ROS and enforcement of apical dominance. We also provide evidence that NADPH oxidase (Nox) or related flavoproteins are responsible for the generation of ROS at hyphal tips and …

Myron Kendall Brakke: 1921 To 2007, Karen-Beth G. Scholthof, Andrew O. Jackson, James L. Van Etten

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Plant pathology lost a distinguished pioneer in plant virology with the death of Dr. Myron K. Brakke on 15 June 2007. Those who were his close colleagues also lost a valued mentor, an irreplaceable friend, and a trusted adviser. Brakke’s most notable accomplishment was the development of sucrose density gradient centrifugation for the purification and characterization of viruses and macromolecules, which led to major advances in biochemistry and molecular biology. He also was responsible for introducing numerous techniques and equipment for fractionation of macromolecules that were crucial for the development of virology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. In the early stages …

Ultraviolet Light Traps: Design Affects Attraction And Capture, Jerome Hogsette

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Traps that use ultraviolet light as an attractant for flies are widely used in urban situations. To determine the differences in trap efficacy from design and lighting, pairs of traps were compared under laboratory conditions. Comparisons were made between traps with open fronts and with traps with restricted open fronts, black light bulbs, and black light blue bulbs, and glue boards with and without z-9-tricosene pheromone. In a windowless laboratory, pairs of traps were placed approximately 90 cm above the floor and 3 m apart. Fifty mixed-sex, 3- to 5-day-old house flies (Musca domestica) were released and …

Effects Of Agricultural Conservation Practices On Fish And Wildlife Volume 2, Stuart R. Gagnon, Joseph R. Makuch, Cassandra Y. Harper

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This bibliography, in two volumes, is part of a multi-volume set developed by the Water Quality Information Center at the National Agricultural Library in support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). The bibliography is a guide to recent scientific literature covering effects of agricultural conservation practices on fish and wildlife. The citations listed here provide information on how conservation programs and practices designed to improve fish and wildlife habitat, as well as those intended for other purposes, e.g., water quality improvement, affect various aquatic and terrestrial fauna.

Characterization Of Biological Types Of Cattle: Indicator Traits Offertility In Beef Cows, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, L. A. Kuehn

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Genetic diversity among breeds of cattle allows producers to select animals for specific environments or market conditions. Reproductive efficiency is a multi-component trait that is largely influenced by environmental influences such as health and nutritional status; however, there are clearly genetic components to reproductive efficiency, and breed differences in a number of indicator traits associated with fertility and cow productivity have been identified. Historical indicators of fertility include scrotal circumference, age at puberty, and postpartum interval. Both age at puberty and postpartum interval are laborious traits to collect in heifers and cows because they require many days of detection of …

Chapter 2. Transformation And Transport Processes Of Nitrogen In Agricultural Systems, Ronald Follett

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This chapter discusses the transformation and transport processes of nitrogen (N) in agricultural systems and provides information on overall reservoir sizes for N. Nitrogen is ubiquitous in the environment and is required for the survival of all living things. It is also one of the most important essential nutrients and is central to the production of all crop plants. The most abundant form of N in the environment is elemental dinitrogen (N₂) gas that accounts for 78% of the atmosphere. N₂ gas is inert and is not directly available for plant uptake and metabolism. The atmospheric reservoir …

Auditing And Assessing Air Quality In Concentrated Feeding Operations, N. A. Cole, R. Todd, B. Auvermann, D. B. Parker

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The potential adverse effects of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) on the environment are a growing concern. The air quality issues of most concern to CAFO vary but generally include ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases, and odors. Air pollutants may be regulated by federal and state laws or by nuisance complaints. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, and poultry, swine, and dairy industries recently agreed to the National Air Emissions Monitoring System to fund research on atmospheric emissions from production farms in the United States. Air quality regulations may be based on actual emissions, atmospheric …

Nitrogen Capture By Grapevine Roots And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi From Legume Cover-Crop Residues Under Low Rates Of Mineral Fertilization, Xiaomei Cheng, Amy Euliss, Kendra Baumgartner

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The influence of mineral fertilization on root uptake and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-mediated ¹⁵N capture from labeled legume (Medicago polymorpha) residue was examined in winegrapes (Vitis vinifera) in the greenhouse, to evaluate compatibility of fertilization with incorporation of cover-crop residue in winegrape production. Plants grown in marginal vineyard soil were either fertilized with 0.25× Hoagland’s solution or not. This low fertilization rate represents the deficit management approach typical of winegrape production. Access to residue in a separate compartment was controlled to allow mycorrhizal roots (roots + hyphae), hyphae (hyphae-intact), or neither (hyphae-rotated) to proliferate in the …

Endocrine Responses Of Fast- And Slow-Growing Families Of Channel Catfish, Brian C. Peterson, Brian C. Small, Geoffrey C. Waldbieser, Brian G. Bosworth

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Sixty-eight families of USDA303 channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were evaluated for growth performance for 30 d. The fastest- and slowest-growing catfish families were further evaluated to examine the hypothesis that genes or gene products associated with the growth regulatory and stress axes can be used to describe differences in growth performance. Research examined mRNA levels of genes involved in the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor (GH–IGF) network in fast- (family A) and slow-growing (family H) USDA303 catfish. Fish (59.0 ± 2.4 g) were fed for 7 weeks, weighed, and had tissues for RNA extraction. The remaining fish were subjected to an …

A Gel-Based Reference Map Of The Porcine Hepatocyte Proteome, Thomas J. Caperna, Amy E. Shannon, Wesley M. Garrett

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The overall goal of our research is to characterize and identify gene expression profiles of porcine hepatic cells. In this study, we have prepared two-dimensional electrophoresis maps of cytosol and membrane fractions from freshly prepared hepatocytes which were pooled from three crossbred pigs (35–69 kg). Following isoelectric focusing with three pH range immobilized pH gradient strips (pH 3–6, 5–8 and 7–10) and staining the second dimension gels with colloidal Coomassie blue, 728 protein spots were picked and digested with trypsin. Extracted tryptic peptides were initially subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF-MS) analysis for identification of proteins …

Hessian Fly, Jeffrey J. Stuart, Ming-Shun Chen, Marion O. Harris

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) is a gall-forming insect (Harris et al. 2006) with several attributes that make it suitable for genetic analysis: a short life cycle (30 days), a small genome (158 Mb) (Johnston et al. 2004), and polytene chromosomes. The reproductive biology and behavior of the insect also make it an attractive model (Harris and Rose 1989,1990; Bergh et al. 1990; Kanno and Harris 2000; Morris et al. 2000; Harris et al. 2001). Compared to most plant-feeding insects, Hessian flies can be reared in a small space. Unlike gall-forming aphid species, the Hessian fly is always …

Population Growth And Development Of Psocid Lepinotus Reticulatus At Constant Temperatures And Relative Humidities, G. P. Opit, James E. Throne

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

We investigated the effects of temperature and relative humidity on population growth and development of the psocid Lepinotus reticulatus Enderlein. Part of this study assessed the effects of marking psocids by using methylene blue, chalk powder, and fluorescent powder to differentiate nymphal stages during development. We found that marking psocids by using methylene blue increased mortality and took twice as long to accomplish compared with marking by using fluorescent powder. Using chalk powder shortened the duration of third and fourth nymphal instars. Marking psocids by using fluorescent powder had no effect on mortality or duration of nymphal instars. Therefore, we …

Use Of Microbial Transglutaminase And Nonmeat Proteins To Improve Functional Properties Of Low Nacl, Phosphate-Free Patties Made From Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) Belly Flap Meat, Byungrok Min, Bartholomew W. Green

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This study was aimed at developing value-added low sodium chloride (NaCl), phosphate-free restructured patties using minced channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) belly flap meat. The effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and nonmeat proteins (isolated soy protein, ISP, and whey protein concentrate, WPC; 1.7%, respectively) alone and in combinationwere evaluated to improve cooking yield and textural properties in patties with reduced NaCl and no phosphate. The concentration effect of MTGase (0.05% to 0.7%) was also studied. The addition of MTGase increased textural properties such as binding strength, hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and springiness, but decreased cooking yield of the patties ( …

Using Ninhydrin To Detect Gravesoil, David O. Carter, David Yellowlees, Mark Tibbett

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Some death scene investigations commence without knowledge of the location of the body and/or decomposition site. In these cases, it is necessary to locate the remains or the site where the body decomposed prior to movement. We hypothesized that the burial of a mammalian cadaver will result in the release of ninhydrin reactive nitrogen (NRN) into associated soil and that this reaction might have potential as a tool for the identification of clandestine graves. Juvenile rat (Rattus rattus) cadavers were buried in three contrasting soil types in Australian tropical savanna ecosystems and allowed to decompose over a period …

Non-Nutritive Suck Parameter In Preterm Infants With Rds, Meredith Estep, Steven M. Barlow, Rajesh Vantipalli, Donald Finan, Jaehoon Lee

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Objective—To characterize the integrity of non-nutritive suck (NNS) parameters among three groups of preterm infants ranging from normal to those with progressive degrees of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Study Design—NNS compression waveforms were sampled from 55 infants in the neonatal intensive care unit using a silicone pacifier electronically instrumented for intraluminal pressure. Seven select NNS parameters were measured at two different sessions, and statistically analyzed using a General Linear Model Analysis of Covariance.

Results and Conclusions—Preterm infants with a more extensive history of RDS and oxygen therapy manifest significantly (p≤0.001) degraded performance on six of the seven NNS measures. This …

Nebline, January 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

“Parents Forever” Class Teaches Parents How to Help Children Through a Divorce
Coalition to Assist Children of Parents Experiencing Divorce
Nebraska’s New Parenting Act Puts Children at the Center—Not in the Middle—of Divorce
Upcoming Pesticide Applicator Trainings
Crop Protection Clinic, Jan. 22
Computerized Farm Financial Recordkeeping Workshop, Feb. 16
Year-Round Insect Pests in the Home
Ultrasonic/Subsonic Devices Not Effective for Pest Control
Beginning Beekeeping 2-Day Workshop
Got Deer Problems or Pocket Gophers? UNL Wildlife Experts Need Your Help
Florist Azalea Plant Care
A Gardener’s New Year’s Resolutions
Proper Landscape Plant Maintenance
About Soil Testing
Attract More Birds by Offering a …

2008 Accomplishment Report

Southeast Research and Extension Center: Reports and Administration

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

IMPLEMENT IRRIGATION AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES

ADOPT METHODS TO PROTECT SOIL AND WATER QUALITY

USE STRATEGIES TO PROTECT URBAN WATERSHEDS

FARM BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS

INCREASE FARM PROFITABILITY WITH SOUND RISK AND FARM MANAGEMENT

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT BUSINESS DIVERSITY AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

SAFETY, HEALTH, SECURITY AND COMMUNITY

IMPROVE DIET, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SAFE FOOD HANDLING

CREATE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND FINANCIALLY SECURE ENVIRONMENTS

DEVELOP YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ENCOURAGE DECISION/POLICY MAKING SKILLS FOR C0MMUNITIES AND YOUTH

2008 Spring Seed Book, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association

Nebraska Crop Improvement Association Seed Guides

PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT and HOW IT BENEFITS YOU!

PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES

TURFGRASSES

OATS

MILLET

HYBRID SEED CORN

QUALITY ASSURANCE® PROGRAM

APPROVED SEED CONDITIONERS

CUSTOM CERTIFIED CONDITIONERS

2007 NCIA MEMBERS

Feather Molt Of Nonmigratory Whooping Cranes In Florida, Martin J. Folk, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Jeannette M. Parker, Marilyn G. Spalding, Stephen B. Baynes, Kristen L. Candelora

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Molt patterns of wild whooping cranes (Grus americana) are largely unknown, and what knowledge we have has been based on scant data. We documented patterns of feather molt in nonmigratory whooping cranes in Florida during 1993-2005. All birds replaced flight feathers (remiges) in a synchronous (simultaneous) manner and spent time flightless. It took 38-46 days (mean = 44 days, n = 8) for feathers to regrow and birds to regain flight ability. When flightless due to remigial molt, cranes became more secretive and spent more time in wetlands during feather regrowth. Most (70%) whooping cranes first molted their …

Risk Factors Associated With Developmental Limb Abnormalities In Captive Whooping Cranes, Cristin Kelley, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

This retrospective survey identifies potential risk factors for developmental limb abnormalities in whooping crane (Grus americana) chicks reared at the International Crane Foundation between 1990 and 2006. We summarized a series of biologicallyrelevant pre- and post-hatch variables from this population using in-house aviculture and veterinary records, and then compared them between chicks with and without developmental carpal, toe and leg deformities. Chi-square analysis revealed associations between 1) rearing style and each type of deformity, 2) egg source and carpal and toe deformities, and 3) the pre-existence of a toe deformity and carpal and leg deformities. Multivariate analyses using …

A Low Intensity Sampling Method For Assessing Blue Crab Abundance At Aransas National Wildlife Refuge And Preliminary Results On The Relationship Of Blue Crab Abundance To Whooping Crane Winter Mortality, Bruce H. Pugesek, Michael J. Baldwin, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We sampled blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in marshes on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas from 1997 to 2005 to determine whether whooping crane (Grus americana) mortality was related to the availability of this food source. For four years, 1997 - 2001, we sampled monthly from the fall through the spring. From these data, we developed a reduced sampling effort method that adequately characterized crab abundance and reduced the potential for disturbance to the cranes. Four additional years of data were collected with the reduced sampling effort methods. Yearly variation in crab numbers was high, ranging …

The Leading Object: September 2008, John C. Owens

Leading Object

Perspectives; New strategic plan results in IANR road map for next eight years; Birnstihl represents IANR on alumni committee; Successful swine business highlights Pillen’s career; Black named chair of Department of Biochemistry; Food Processing Center offers certification course in Spanish; Three receive OEA Awards; Husker Harvest Days emphasizes water

An Animal Movement Model Incorporating Home Range And Habitat Selection, Aaron Christ, Jay Ver Hoef, Dale L. Zimmerman

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Wildlife biologists are often interested in how an animal uses space and the habitat resources within that space. We propose a single model that estimates an animal’s home range and habitat selection parameters within that range while accounting for the inherent autocorrelation in frequently sampled telemetry data. The model is applied to brown bear telemetry data in southeast Alaska.

The Viral Etiology Of Aids-Associated Malignancies, Peter C. Angeletti, Luwen Zhang, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The first documented cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were characterized by the presence of rare Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) skin lesions. More than 10 years later, it was discovered that the causative agent of KS was a γ-herpesvirus, human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) (KS-associated herpesvirus, KSHV). It is now abundantly clear that cancers induced by viral agents [such as, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV)] are exacerbated by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and subsequent immune suppression. For example, the incidence of and primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) and Hodgkin’s and high grade B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), nasopharyngeal carcinoma …

Psychometric Properties Of A New Questionnaire To Assess Eating In The Absence Of Hunger In Children And Adolescents, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Lisa M. Ranzenhofer, Susaz Z. Yanovski, Natasha A. Schvey, Myles Faith, Jennifer Gustafson, Jack A. Yanovski

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Background: Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH), studied in the context of laboratory paradigms, has been associated with obesity and is predictive of excess weight gain in children. However, no easily administered questionnaire exists to assess for EAH in children.
Objective: We developed an Eating in the Absence of Hunger Questionnaire to be administered to children and adolescents (EAH-C) and examined psychometric properties of the measure.
Design: Two-hundred and twenty-six obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex, n = 73) and non-obese (BMI < 95th percentile, n = 153) youth (mean age ± S.D., 14.4 ± 2.5 y) completed the …

Solar Ultraviolet B Radiation Compared With Prostate Cancer Incidence And Mortality Rates In United States, Janet L. Colli, William B. Grant

United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Publications

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States correlate inversely with solar ultraviolet (UV) B radiation levels computed from a mathematical model using forecasted ozone levels, cloud levels, and elevation. Another objective was to explore whether the annual prostate cancer rates correlated more strongly with the cumulative UVB exposure for the year or for exposure during certain seasons.

METHODS

The age-adjusted incidence and mortality cancer rates for black and white men in the continental United States were correlated with the mean UV index values averaged for the year and for each season.

RESULTS …